Mt. Juliet and Lebanon TN
Elder abuse is a significant problem in Tennessee, and the state is fighting back. In January, the Tennessee Elder Abuse Task Force released a final list of recommendations to deter unlawful incidents of abuse in nursing homes.
Created by state lawmakers, the task force studied the frequency and types of elder abuse in nursing homes for months. The investigation found that 90 percent of elder abuse in Tennessee is caused by a family member or close friend of the victim. The plan proposed by the task force will allow state and local authorities to act to prevent nursing home abuse by changing state law to increase penalties for elder abuse, education, and prevention in nursing homes, performing background checks on nursing home staff, efficiently analyzing and processing elder abuse cases, and creating a working group to develop a field guide for law enforcement to use.
Elder abuse can take place in the form of mental abuse, physical abuse, and negligence. These incidents often go unreported, as many elderly fail to register what is happening to them due to cognitive decline, or they are too embarrassed to notify the proper authorities.
It is important for the state to get a handle on this problem, as the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 24 percent of the population of the state will be at least 60 years old by 2030.
If you or a member of your family has faced emotional, mental, or physical abuse while placed in the care of a nursing home or caretaker, the law office of Yancy Belcher can help. One of our options is to obtain a conservatorship, where the court appoints an individual—usually a spouse, child, relative or close friend—to oversee the personal, medical, physical, and financial needs of an elderly incapacitated individual. Contact our office at (615) 773-2889 to learn more about our services in this area.
The law office of Yancy Belcher has been serving clients in Middle Tennessee since 1999.
